Like it or not, BMW's front-wheel future is trundling our way fast: The new 2-series Active Tourer, a front-wheel-drive MPV powered by a range of transverse-mounted three- and four-cylinder motors made its official debut Tuesday at the Geneva motor show. There wasn't much we didn't know about the 2-series Active Tourer ahead of the show -- catch yourself up with our full breakdown -- but seeing it in the steel drove home the point that this thing is happening, and we're powerless to stop it. It won't be all bad, though.

The BMW i3 and Volkswagen XL1 are amongst the contenders for the World Car Design of the Year award as the top 10 finalists in each category of the tenth annual World Car Awards are announced. The full shortlist of nominees for the 2014 World Car Design of the Year Award are: BMW i3; Cadillac CTS; Citröen C4 Picasso; Lexus IS; Mazda3; Mercedes-Benz C-Class; Volkswagen XLR1; Cadillac ELR; Range Rover Sport and Volkswagen XL1. As in previous years for the World Car Design of the Year award, a panel of five design experts reviews all candidates before writing up recommendations for the jury of 69 international automotive journalists to consider.

The Kia Niro Concept (pictured) debuts at Frankfurt as a pointer to a new compact SUV
Earlier this month we had a teaser from Kia for a new compact urban SUV heading for a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and here its is – the Kia Niro Concept. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});Kia has obviously been careful with its concept naming this time after the storm in a teacup response to the Kia Provo last year, with a name that shouts ‘Famous Actor’ rather than ‘Famous Terrorist’. Sensible move.